Inflatable pouches

ABSTRACT

A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web defining a series of inflatable chambers, a longitudinal fold in the web such that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold, and a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form a series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to inflatable pouches used to packageobjects and, more particularly, to inflatable pouches that are adaptedto be converted into a continuous series of inflated pouches.

Consumers frequently purchase goods from mail-order or internetretailers, which package and ship the goods to the purchasing consumervia the U.S. Postal Service or other carrier. Millions of such packagesare shipped each Day.

Many of these packages include items such as pharmaceuticals, books,medical supplies, electronic devices, and the like. These items arenormally packaged in small containers, such as a box or envelope. Toprotect the items during shipment, they are typically packaged with someform of protective dunnage that may be wrapped around the item orstuffed into the container to prevent movement of the item and toprotect it from shock.

A common type of packaging envelope is known as a ‘padded mailer.’Padded mailers are generally shipping envelopes that have padded wallsto protect the contents of the mailer. Padded mailers generally includea single or double wall envelope, with paper dunnage or air cellularcushioning material to protect the packaged object. While such paddedmailers have been commercially successful, they are not withoutdrawbacks. For instance, because trapped or confined air is generallythe cushioning medium, the space required to store such mailers is notinsignificant. Further, in order not to require an inordinately largeamount of storage space, the padded mailers are typically limited tohaving relatively thin padding.

One solution to the foregoing drawbacks is to employ inflatable mailers,i.e., mailers that have an integral inflatable cushioning material,which can be inflated just prior to packaging and shipment. While thisapproach has the potential to solve the above-described problems,current inflatable mailers require specialized inflation and sealingequipment, which is slow and cumbersome to operate, and which producesonly one inflated mailer at a time.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for improvements ininflatable mailers, which overcome the foregoing difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

That need is met by the present invention, which, in one aspect,provides a system for making inflated pouches, which may be used asinflatable mailers, comprising:

a. a supply of inflatable pouches, the supply comprising:

-   -   (1) an inflatable web, the web comprising two sheets having        inner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a        series of inflatable chambers having a closed distal end and an        open proximal end, the open proximal end providing an inflation        port for each of the chambers, the chambers arrayed in a        substantially transverse orientation to a longitudinal dimension        of the web,    -   (2) a longitudinal fold in the web, which extends along the        longitudinal dimension thereof such that the web is configured        in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together        at the longitudinal fold, and    -   (3) a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together        to form a connected series of inflatable pouches between pairs        of the transverse seals such that the connected series of        inflatable pouches extends along the longitudinal dimension of        the web;

b. an inflation assembly for introducing gas into the inflatablechambers via the inflation ports to thereby inflate the juxtaposedinflatable panels of the inflatable pouches so as to form inflatedpouches; and

c. a sealing mechanism for sealing the inflation ports to enclose thegas within the chambers of the inflated pouches.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method for making inflatedpouches, comprising:

a. providing a supply of inflatable pouches, the supply comprising:

-   -   (1) an inflatable web, the web comprising two sheets having        inner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a        series of inflatable chambers having a closed distal end and an        open proximal end, the open proximal end providing an inflation        port for each of the chambers, the chambers arrayed in a        substantially transverse orientation to a longitudinal dimension        of the web,    -   (2) a longitudinal fold in the web, which extends along the        longitudinal dimension thereof such that the web is configured        in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together        at the longitudinal fold, and    -   (3) a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together        to form a connected series of inflatable pouches between pairs        of the transverse seals such that the connected series of        inflatable pouches extends along the longitudinal dimension of        the web;

b. introducing gas into the inflatable chambers via the inflation ports,thereby inflating the juxtaposed panels so as to form inflated pouches;and

c. sealing the inflation ports to enclose the gas within the chambers ofthe inflated pouches.

A further aspect of the invention is directed to a method for makinginflatable pouches, comprising:

a. providing an inflatable web, the web comprising two sheets havinginner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series ofinflatable chambers having a closed distal end and an open proximal end,the open proximal end providing an inflation port for each of thechambers, the chambers arrayed in a substantially transverse orientationto a longitudinal dimension of the web;

b. folding the web along the longitudinal dimension thereof to form alongitudinal fold therein to thereby configure the web in the form oftwo juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinalfold; and

c. producing a series of transverse seals that bond the panels togetherto form a connected series of inflatable pouches between pairs of thetransverse seals such that the connected series of inflatable pouchesextends along the longitudinal dimension of the web,

whereby, the pouches may be inflated via the inflation ports.

An additional aspect of the invention pertains to a supply of inflatablepouches, comprising:

a. an inflatable web, the web comprising two sheets having innersurfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series ofinflatable chambers having a closed distal end and an open proximal end,the open proximal end providing an inflation port for each of thechambers, the chambers arrayed in a substantially transverse orientationto a longitudinal dimension of the web;

b. a longitudinal fold in the web, which extends along the longitudinaldimension thereof such that the web is configured in the form of twojuxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold;and

c. a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form aconnected series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverseseals such that the connected series of inflatable pouches extends alongthe longitudinal dimension of the web,

whereby, the pouches may be inflated via the inflation ports.

A further aspect of the invention is directed towards a method formaking inflated pouches, comprising:

a. providing an inflatable web, the web comprising two sheets havinginner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series ofinflatable chambers having a closed distal end and an open proximal end,the open proximal end providing an inflation port for each of thechambers, the chambers arrayed in a substantially transverse orientationto a longitudinal dimension of the web;

b. folding the web along the longitudinal dimension thereof to form alongitudinal fold therein to thereby configure the web in the form oftwo juxtaposed panels joined together at the longitudinal fold;

c. introducing gas into the inflatable chambers via the inflation ports;

d. sealing the inflation ports to enclose the gas within the chambers;and

e. producing a series of transverse seals that bond the panels togetherto form a series of inflated pouches between pairs of the transverseseals.

These and other aspects and features of the invention may be betterunderstood with reference to the following description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system and method in accordance withthe present invention for making inflated pouches;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an inflatable web used to make inflated pouchesin the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system and method for makinginflatable pouches as used in the system shown in FIG. 1, from theinflatable web shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inflation and longitudinal sealing portionsof the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative system and method formaking inflated pouches in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further alternative system and methodfor making inflated pouches in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative system and methodfor making inflated pouches in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a packaging application for an inflatedpouch made by the system and method illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9-10 are elevational, cross-sectional views of the package made inaccordance with FIG. 8;

FIGS. 11A-C are perspective views of packaging applications for aninflated pouch made by the system and method illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a packaging arrangement in accordancewith an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a system 10 for making inflated pouches 12 willbe described. The inflated pouches 12 may be employed as inflatablemailers or in other packaging applications. System 10 includes a supply14 of inflatable pouches 16. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 2, supply 14includes an inflatable web 18, which comprises two sheets 20 a, b havingrespective inner surfaces 22 a, b sealed to each other in a seal pattern24 defining a series of inflatable chambers 26 having a closed distalend 28 a and an open proximal end 28 b, with the open proximal ends 28 bproviding an inflation port 30 for each of the inflatable chambers 26.The inflatable chambers 26 are generally arrayed in a substantiallytransverse orientation to a longitudinal dimension 32 of the inflatableweb 18. The longitudinal dimension 32 of web 18 is the longest dimensionof the web (i.e., the length-wise dimension), and is generally parallelto the direction 34 in which the supply 14 of inflatable pouches 16travels through system 10 (FIG. 1).

Supply 14 further includes a longitudinal fold 36 in web 18, whichextends along longitudinal dimension 32 thereof (FIGS. 1, 3 and 3A). Inthis manner, web 18 is configured in the form of two juxtaposedinflatable panels 38 a, b joined together at longitudinal fold 36.

Supply 14 also includes a series of transverse seals 40 that bond thejuxtaposed panels 38 a, b together to form a connected series 42 of theinflatable pouches 16 between pairs 40 a, b of the transverse seals.Each of the pouches 16 thus have side edges that are defined by a pairof transverse seals 40 a, b, front and back walls that are provided bythe juxtaposed inflatable panels 38 a, b, a bottom as provided by thelongitudinal fold 36, and an open top provided by the opposinglongitudinal edges (57 and 59) of inflatable web 18, as described infurther detail below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the transverse seals 40 may be applied tolongitudinally-folded web 18 by a transverse seal mechanism 44, whichmay create transverse seal-pairs 40 a, b simultaneously as shown. Inthis fashion, the connected series 42 of inflatable pouches 16 extendsalong the longitudinal dimension 32 of inflatable web 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, it may be seen that system 10 furtherincludes an inflation assembly 46 for introducing gas 48 into theinflatable chambers 26 via inflation ports 30, to thereby inflate thejuxtaposed inflatable panels 38 a, b of the inflatable pouches 16 so asto form inflated pouches 12 (note that in FIG. 4, the ‘upper’ inflatablepanel 38 a has been omitted for clarity, with only closed longitudinaledge 59 thereof shown in phantom). A sealing mechanism 50 is alsoincluded for sealing the inflation ports 30, e.g., with a heat seal 52,so as to enclose the gas 48 within the chambers 26 of the inflatedpouches 12. A fully completed inflated pouch, i.e., with chambers 26inflated and sealed closed via heat seal 52, is indicated at 12′ in FIG.1.

Inflatable chambers 26 in web 18 may have any desired configuration,e.g., a linear tube-shaped configuration, as shown in FIG. 10.Alternatively, the inflatable chambers 26 may, as shown in FIGS. 1-4,have a variable shape, e.g., wherein each of the chambers 26 has apredetermined length “L” (FIG. 2) and at least one change in width overtheir length. Thus, for example, as shown perhaps most clearly in FIG.2, seal pattern 24 may be such that each chamber 26 contains a series ofsections 54 of relatively large width connected by relatively narrowpassageways 56. When inflated, sections 54 may provide substantiallyspherical bubbles in web 18 by symmetrical outward movement of thosesections of sheets 20 a, b comprising the walls of sections 54. Thiswill generally occur when sheets 20 a, b are identical in thickness,flexibility, and elasticity. Sheets 20 a, b may, however, be ofdifferent thickness, flexibility or elasticity, and/or seal pattern 24may be configured, such that inflation will result in differentdisplacement of sheets 20 a, b, thereby providing, e.g., hemisphericalor asymmetrical bubbles. The former embodiment may be accomplished byproviding sheets 20 a, b from a single film web that is folded uponitself in a juxtaposed relationship, e.g., center-folded, prior tohaving seal pattern 24 applied thereto, while the latter embodiment maybe accomplished by providing sheets 20 a, b from two separate film websthat are merged together in a juxtaposed relationship prior to applyingseal pattern 24 thereto.

Length L may be substantially the same for each of the chambers 26, withadjacent chambers being off-set from one another as shown in order toarrange the chambers in close proximity to one another. As also shown,length L of each chamber 26 is generally oriented transversely to thelongitudinal dimension 32 of web 18.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, it may be seen that the inflatableweb 18 may include a longitudinal inflation edge 57 and an opposing,closed longitudinal edge 59. Inflation ports 30 for each of theinflatable chambers 26 are positioned in series along the inflation edge57, while the distal ends 28 a of the chambers are positioned in seriesalong the closed edge 59.

The inflatable web 18 may further includes a pair of longitudinalflanges 58, which are formed by a portion of each of the sheets 20 a, bthat extend beyond the inflation ports 30 and seal pattern 24 (which islongitudinally intermittent at the inflation ports to define the same)in such a manner as to define the inflation edge 57. The flanges 58 arenot sealed together, and thus form an open inflation zone in web 18. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2, flanges 58 extend out equally beyondinflation ports 30 and seals 24. In many embodiments, inflation will beeffected by bringing the inner surfaces of flanges 58 into closeslidable contact with outwardly facing surfaces of an appropriatelyconfigured nozzle or other inflation means so as to provide a partiallyclosed inflation zone which provides sequential inflation of chambers 26without restricting the movement of the web or inflation nozzle, therebyallowing such sequential inflation to occur. The flanges 58 may havedifferent widths, but will generally be equal in width, as shown in FIG.2.

Sheets 20 a, b may, in general, comprise any flexible material that canbe manipulated and sealed to enclose gas 48 in chambers 26 as hereindescribed, including various thermoplastic materials, e.g., polyethylenehomopolymer or copolymer, polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, etc.Non-limiting examples of suitable thermoplastic polymers includepolyethylene homopolymers, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) andhigh density polyethylene (HOPE), and polyethylene copolymers such as,e.g., ionomers, EVA, EMA, heterogeneous (Zeigler-Netto catalyzed)ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers, and homogeneous (metallocene,single-cite catalyzed) ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers.Ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers are copolymers of ethylene with one ormore comonomers selected from C₃ to C₂₀ alpha-olefins, such as 1-butene,1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, methyl pentene and the like, in which thepolymer molecules comprise long chains with relatively few side chainbranches, including linear low density polyethylene (LLOPE), linearmedium density polyethylene (LMDPE), very low density polyethylene(VLDPE), and ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE). Various othermaterials are also suitable such as, e.g., polypropylene homopolymer orpolypropylene copolymer (e.g., propylene/ethylene copolymer),polyesters, polystyrenes, polyamides, polycarbonates, etc. The film maybe monolayer or multilayer and can be made by any known coextrusionprocess by melting the component polymer(s) and extruding or coextrudingthem through one or more flat or annular dies.

Further details concerning inflatable web 18 and the manner of making itare disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,220,476, 7,721,781, 6,800,162,6,982,113, 7,223,461, and 7,018,495, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference thereto.

Longitudinal fold 36 may be made at any desired location along the width“W” of inflatable web 18 (FIG. 2), the effect of which is to bringlongitudinal edges 57, 59 closer together in the folded configuration(FIG. 3A) than in the lay-flat/non-folded configuration (FIG. 2).Another effect of longitudinal fold 36, along with transverse seals 40a, b, is to convert inflatable web 18 into a series of inflatablepouches 16, wherein each pouch 16 has an open top 60, as formed by theresultant adjacently-positioned and (at least initially) unsealedlongitudinal edges 57, 59 (FIG. 3A). The open top 60 allows objects tobe packaged to be placed inside of the pouches (FIGS. 8-11) or,alternatively, allows the pouches to be placed over a portion of anobject to be packaged (FIG. 12).

Longitudinal fold 36 can be made at any desired location across thewidth “W” of inflatable web 18 (FIG. 2), i.e., the width of web 18 asdefined between the inflation and closed longitudinal edges 57, 59. Forexample, the longitudinal fold could be made at location F₁, which is atthe center of the width W of web 18. In this instance, web 18 will be‘center-folded’ such that the longitudinal inflation edge 57 extendsfrom the longitudinal fold 36 by substantially the same distance as doesthe closed longitudinal edge 59. The juxtaposed inflatable panels 38 a,b will thus have essentially the same dimensions and therefore be fullyjuxtaposed, with the longitudinal edges 57, 59 being aligned together incoextensive opposition to longitudinal fold 36.

Alternatively, longitudinal fold 36 in inflatable web 18 may beoff-center relative to width W of web 18, e.g., made at location F₂,which is to the right of the center location F₁ (FIG. 2), so thatinflation edge 57 is off-set from closed edge 59 (FIGS. 1, 3, and 3A) inthe supply 14 of inflatable pouches 16. As perhaps best shown in FIG.3A, in this embodiment, the inflation edge 57 extends from longitudinalfold 36 by a greater distance “ΔD” than does the closed edge 59, withsuch greater distance ΔD providing an extended region 61, whichcorresponds to the off-set between the inflation edge 57 and closed edge59. Alternatively, location F₂ could be made to the left of the centerlocation F₁ (FIG. 2), so that closed edge 59 extends from longitudinalfold 36 by a greater distance “ΔD” than the inflation edge 57.

An advantage of the ‘off-set’ configuration for web 18 (FIG. 3A) is thatthis allows the resultant supply 14 of inflatable pouches 16 to beinflated and sealed on conventional inflation and sealing machines. Nospecialized inflation and sealing equipment is needed. For example, likemany conventional inflation and sealing systems, system 10 includes aconveyance mechanism 62 for conveying the supply 14 of inflatablepouches 16 through the system by engaging the extended region 61 atlongitudinal inflation edge 57. The inflation assembly 46 and sealingmechanism 50 similarly engage the extended region 61 at inflation edge57 to effect inflation and sealing, respectively, of the inflatablepouches 16. Conventional inflation and sealing machines generallyoperate via engagement of the inflation edge of the inflatable webbecause it allows for a variety of web-widths to be employed on the samemachine without the need for adjustment, as only the distance W betweenthe inflation edge and non-engaged closed edge is affected.

In accordance with the ‘off-set’ embodiment of the present invention,even though the web has been longitudinally folded to form pouches, theextended region 61 allows for engagement of inflation edge 57 only,i.e., to the exclusion of the closed edge 59 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 4),so that the closed edge 59 does not interfere with conveyance,inflation, and sealing. Advantageously, this allows for continuousconveyance, inflation, and sealing, i.e., as opposed to intermittentconveyance, inflation, and sealing, on a conventional machine, such as,e.g., the NewAir I.B.® Express Packaging System, which is soldcommercially by Sealed Air Corporation. Continuous conveyance,inflation, and sealing is generally faster and moreproductive/cost-effective than intermittent conveyance, inflation, andsealing, and the ability to employ conventional, ‘continuous-conveyance’machines, without the need for modifications or specialized machines,further adds to the cost-effectiveness of the ‘off-set’ embodiment ofthe present invention.

Accordingly, conveyance mechanism 62 generally effects conveyance ofsupply 14 of inflatable pouches 16 in direction 34 as shown, which isparallel to longitudinal dimension 32 of web 18. Such conveyance ispreferably effected in a substantially continuous, e.g.,non-intermittent, manner. When system 10 is operated in this manner,inflation assembly 46 introduces gas 48 into inflatable chambers 26substantially continuously and sequentially via inflation ports 30. Suchgas 48 sequentially travels the length L of each inflatable chamber 26,flowing first into the portion of each chamber disposed in inflatablepanel 38 b, then traversing the longitudinal fold 36 to flow into theportion of each chamber 26 disposed in inflatable panel 38 a (FIG. 3A).Both of the juxtaposed panels 38 a, b may thus be inflated in the sameoperation, i.e., in a continuous and sequential manner as the supply 14is conveyed continuously longitudinally through system 10 by conveyancemechanism 62. Sealing mechanism 50 preferably seals the inflation ports30 substantially continuously and sequentially as well.

In the illustrated embodiment for system 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,the inflation assembly 46, sealing mechanism 50, and conveyancemechanism 62 are integrated into an inflation and sealing machine 64which, as noted above, may be embodied by the NewAir I.B.® ExpressPackaging System sold by Sealed Air Corporation, which is described inUS Publication Nos. 2010-0251665 and 2010-0251668, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto. As describedin further detail in the foregoing publications, the inflation assembly46 may include an inflation nozzle 66, which is adapted for insertionbetween the flanges 58 of web 18, in order to direct gas 48 intoinflatable chambers 26 via ports 30. Sealing mechanism 50 may include asealing element 68, e.g., an electrically-resistive element such as awire or the like, disposed on a rotary sealing roller 70, with a backingroller 72 (FIG. 1) in compressive contact with the sealing roller 70,such that the web 18 may be compressed therebetween in order to bringthe sealing element 68 into firm contact with the web to producelongitudinal seal 52, which is preferably a heat seal, across inflationports 30.

Conveyance mechanism 62 may include a pair of counter-rotating driverollers, e.g., driven roller 74 rotating against backing roller 72.Driven roller 74 may be coaxial with sealing roller 70, with bothrotating against common backing roller 72 as shown. Conveyance mechanism62 may further include a pair of counter-rotating drive belts 76 (onlyone shown in FIG. 4), which may be positioned to engage flanges 58outboard of inflation nozzle 66, to assist in both the conveyance of web18 and inflation of chambers 26 by driving the web through machine 64and preventing gas 48 from leaking out of the web via open longitudinaledge 57, i.e., so that more of the gas is forced to flow from the nozzle66 and into the chambers 26. As an alternative to drive belts 76, aplurality of engagement rollers, e.g., intermeshing gears, may beemployed, e.g., as described and illustrated in the above-referenced USPublication No. 2010-0251668 (see also FIG. 5, discussed infra). As afurther alternative, instead of engaging and conveying the web at theextended region 61, engagement and conveyance may occur elsewhere on theweb, e.g., in between the open longitudinal edge 57 and the longitudinalfold 36.

Supply 14 of inflatable pouches 16 may also be inflated and sealed onother conventional inflation and sealing machines, such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,220,476, 7,429,304, and 7,165,375, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by referencethereto.

In system 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1, supply 14 of inflatable pouches16 is provided in the form of a roll 77, and is disposed on spool 78 onmachine 64 for rotational dispensation of the supply 14 into machine 64.Other configurations are also possible, e.g., the supply 14 may befan-folded or vertically-coiled and dispensed into machine 64 from acarton, such as a cardboard box.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process 79 for making inflatable pouches 16, inwhich web 18 has previously been folded along longitudinal dimension 32thereof at location F2 (FIG. 2) to form longitudinal fold 36 therein,thereby configuring the web in the form of juxtaposed inflatable panels38 a, b, which are joined together at the longitudinal fold 36. Theresultant folded web 18′ may then be formed into an intermediate roll 80for further processing, which includes producing a series of transverseseals 40. To this end, the folded web 18′ may be withdrawn fromintermediate roll 80 and directed into transverse sealing station 82,which includes transverse seal mechanism 44 and backing member 84. Thetransverse sealing station 82 may be embodied by a rotary sealingdevice, e.g., such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,626, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.The transverse seal mechanism 44 may thus include a pair of transversesealing members 86 a, b, which produce the pair 40 a, b of transverseseals 40 each time the sealing members 86 a, b are brought into contactwith folded web 18′, e.g., with each rotation of the rotary-type sealmechanism 44 as shown, in order to form the inflatable pouches 16between such transverse seals.

As described in the above-incorporated '626 patent, the transverse seals40 may be made at regular intervals as the folded web 18′ is conveyedthrough the transverse sealing station 82, in which case the spacingbetween the transverse seals will be essentially the same, therebyproducing inflatable pouches 16 of the same width dimension (distancebetween the transverse seals 40 a, b of each pouch 16, which form thesides thereof) on supply roll 77. Alternatively, the transverse seals 40may be made at irregular intervals on folded web 18′, e.g., by varyingthe rate of conveyance of web 18′ through transverse sealing station 82and/or varying the rate of transverse seal formation by seal mechanism44, in which case the resultant inflatable pouches 16 will havediffering width dimensions on supply roll 77. As a further alternative,the frequency at which the transverse seal mechanism 44 makes transverseseals may be independent of the speed at which the web 18′ is conveyedthrough the sealing station 82, and may be selectively controlled suchthat the width dimension of the pouches 16 may be varied on a real-time,e.g., on-the-fly, basis, as disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,463,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by referencethereto. The frequency at which the transverse seals are made may bebased, e.g., on the passage of a predetermined length of the web alonglongitudinal dimension 32, the passage of a predetermined number ofinflatable chambers 26, etc.

After the formation of the transverse seals 40, the resultant supply 14of inflatable pouches 16 may be formed into supply roll 77 as shown,e.g., for subsequent placement on spool 78 on machine 64 in order toinflate and seal the pouches in system 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1.Thus, while the operation illustrated in FIG. 3 may be performed at onelocation, e.g., a production factory, the operation illustrated in FIG.1 may be performed at another location, e.g., at a packaging warehouse,with the supply rolls 77 being shipped to the packaging warehouse, inwhich they may be stored until needed for use in system 10 to producecompleted inflated pouches 12′. In such embodiment, the inflatablepouches 16 as contained on supply roll 77 are ‘pre-configured’, in thatonly the final steps of inflation and sealing are performed in system10.

In other embodiments of the invention, the longitudinal fold 36,transverse seals 40 and/or inflatable chambers 26 may be produced on,i.e., as a part of, the inflation and sealing system/process thatresults in inflated pouches 12/12′. For example, process 79 as shown inFIG. 3 may further include the steps of introducing gas into inflatablechambers 26 via inflation ports 30, thereby inflating the juxtaposedpanels 38 a, b so as to form inflated pouches 12, and sealing theinflation ports 30 to enclose the gas within the chambers 26, to therebycomplete the conversion of inflatable pouches 16 into inflated pouches12′. This may be accomplished, e.g., by combining process 79 (FIG. 3)with system/process 10 (FIG. 1), with the latter following the formerand with, e.g., the supply 14 of inflatable pouches 16 being feddirectly into inflation assembly 46 and sealing mechanism 50, i.e.,instead of first being formed into supply roll 77.

Similarly but alternatively, a system and process 10′ are shown in FIG.5, wherein two sheets 88 a, b, in the form of continuous longitudinalwebs, are converged into a juxtaposed relationship and fed into a rotarysealing mechanism 90. Sheets 88 a, b may be provided from two separatesources, e.g., rolls, as shown, or via a single source, e.g., acenter-folded web with two sheets joined at the c-fold. Sealingmechanism 90 includes a sealing roller 89 and a backing roller 91, andforms seal pattern 24′, which results in a series of inflatable chambers26′. Seal pattern 24′ is an alternative to seal pattern 24, in that theformer provide substantially linear, tube-shaped inflatable chambers26′, whereas the latter provides varying, connected bubble-shapedinflatable chambers 26. As will be described in further detail below,seal pattern 24′ also provides inflatable pouches that are capable ofbeing free-standing, i.e., once inflated and sealed.

After seal pattern 24′ has been formed, the resultant inflatable web18″, which has a closed edge 59′ and an inflation edge 57′, islongitudinally folded via folding bars 92 to form longitudinal fold 36′,and then transversely sealed in transverse sealing station 82′ to form aseries of inflatable pouches 16′. This supply of inflatable pouches 16′is then inflated via inflation assembly 46, followed by sealing closedthe inflated chambers 26′ via sealing mechanism 50, which formslongitudinal seal 52, to form inflated pouches 12″. Conveyance mechanism62′ is similar to mechanism 62, except that an array of engagementrollers, e.g., intermeshing gears, are employed in conveyance mechanism62′, e.g., as described and illustrated in the above-referenced USPublication No. 2010-0251668, in place of the drive belts 76 used inconveyance mechanism 62.

Accordingly, it may now be appreciated that “providing” an inflatableweb or a supply of inflatable pouches in accordance with the systems andmethods of the present invention may range anywhere from (a) startingwith a pre-configured inflatable web or preconfigured supply ofinflatable pouches to (b) starting with two separate sheets, which areformed into an inflatable web, longitudinally folded, transverselysealed to form a series of inflatable pouches, inflated, thenlongitudinally sealed closed to form inflated pouches.

Further methods for making inflated pouches in accordance with thepresent invention are also possible. For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 disclosealternative methods 95 and 97, respectively, for making inflatedpouches, wherein each comprises steps of:

a. providing an inflatable web, such as inflatable web 18 (FIG. 2) or18″ (FIG. 5);

b. folding the web along the longitudinal dimension 32 thereof to form alongitudinal fold 36 therein to configure web in the form of twojuxtaposed panels 38 a, b joined together at the longitudinal fold 36;

c. introducing gas into the inflatable chambers 26 in the web via theinflation ports 30;

d. sealing the inflation ports 30 to enclose the gas within the chambers26; and

e. producing a series of transverse seals 40′ that bond the panels 38 a,b together to form a series 96 of inflated pouches 12″ between pairs 40a′, b′ of the transverse seals 40′.

The step of providing the inflatable web (step a) may be effected bysupplying a pre-configured inflatable web, e.g., such as web 18 asillustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 2, or supplying twoseparate webs or a single, folded web with juxtaposed sheets, which aresealed together in the form of an inflatable pattern, e.g., asillustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 5. Both of methods 95and 97, as shown in respective FIGS. 6 and 7, employ pre-configured web18.

The step of folding the web (step b) may be accomplished by pre foldingthe web and storing it, e.g., as web 18′ on supply roll 80 (FIG. 3), forsubsequent deployment into the remainder of the process, as illustratedin method 95 (FIG. 6). Alternatively, web 18 may be folded as acontinuous step in the process, as illustrated in method 97 (FIG. 7).Accordingly, although method 95 is a discontinuous process while method97 is a continuous process, both methods yield the same result: theproduction of series 96 of inflated pouches 12′″.

Both the steps of introducing gas into the inflatable chambers 26 andsealing closed the inflation ports 30 (steps c and d) may be carried outwith machine 64 as described above, or with any other of the described‘inflation and sealing’ machines. Thus, following inflation of chambers26 with gas 48, sealing mechanism 50 forms longitudinal heat seal 52 toclose the inflation ports 30, and thereby completes the inflation andlongitudinal sealing process for web 18′ in method 95 (FIG. 6) and web18 in method 97 (FIG. 7).

Note that the step of folding the web (step b) may occur prior to thesteps of inflating the inflatable chambers and sealing closed theinflation ports (steps c and d), e.g., as in method 95 (FIG. 6).Alternatively, the step of folding the web (step b) may occur after thesteps of inflating the inflatable chambers and sealing closed theinflation ports (steps c and d), e.g., as in method 97 (FIG. 7), whereinweb 18 is first inflated and sealed by machine 64, then the inflated andsealed web is longitudinally folded.

Step e—producing a series of transverse seals 40′ that bond the panels38 a, b together to form a series of inflated pouches 12′″ between pairs40 a′ and 40 b′ of the transverse seals—may be carried out byalternative transverse seal mechanism 44′ in alternative transversesealing station 82′. Unlike the rotary-type transverse seal mechanism44, alternative seal mechanism 44′ forms transverse seals 40′ via lineartranslation of seal bar 98 against stationary backing bar 100, with thelinear translation of seal bar 98 being provided by actuator 102, whichmay be embodied by a pneumatic, electric, or hydraulicpiston-cylinder-pushrod device as shown. The alternative transversesealing station 82′ may further include a pair of drive rollers 103 a, bto convey the inflated, juxtaposed panels 38 a, b through the sealingstation.

Transverse seal mechanism 44′ forms transverse seals 40′ in theinflated, juxtaposed panels 38 a, b transversely of the direction 34′ inwhich the panels are conveyed through sealing station 82′. Transverseseal mechanism 44′ may be a ‘double seal’ type transverse sealingmechanism, which may include, e.g., on seal bar 98, a pair of transversesealing elements, e.g., bands, wires, or other types ofelectrically-resistive elements (not shown). In this configuration, whenseal bar 98 is moved by actuator 102 in the direction of arrow 104towards the backing bar 100, a transverse segment of the inflated,juxtaposed panels 38 a, b are compressed between the bars 98, 100, suchthat the sealing elements on the seal bar 98 are urged against thepanels. When energized, e.g., by causing electricity to flow through thesealing elements, this compressive action causes one of the sealingelements to produce a trailing edge transverse seal 40 b′ for thejust-completed pouch 12″ (shown as exiting the transverse sealingstation 82′), and the other sealing element to produce a leading edgetransverse seal 40 a′ on the next-to-be completed pouch (the leadingedge of which is shown inside of transverse sealing station 82′).Further details regarding ‘double seal’ type transverse sealingmechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,076, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto. As analternative, a ‘single seal’ mechanism could be used, i.e., wherein sealbar 98 includes only one sealing element, such that only one transverseseal 40′ is made during each actuation of the seal bar.

As described above in connection with transverse seal mechanism 44, thefrequency at which the transverse seal mechanism 44′ makes transverseseals may be independently controlled, i.e., independent of the speed atwhich the web 18/panels 38 a, b is conveyed through sealing station 82′and selectively controlled, such that the width dimension of thecompleted pouches 12′″ may be varied on a real-time, e.g., on-the-fly,basis.

Methods 95 and 97 may further include the step of separating theinflated pouches 12′″ from the folded and inflated web 18 (which is inthe form of inflated, juxtaposed panels 38 a, b). This may beaccomplished on an individual basis as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,i.e., with each completed pouch 12′″ individually and sequentiallyseparated from the web to produce a series 96 of individual pouches,e.g., for collection/accumulation on/in a surface or container 106. Tothis end, transverse seal mechanism 44′ may be structured and arrangedto both sever and seal the web 18/panels 38 a, b. Transverse sealmechanism 44′ may thus further include a transverse severing element(not shown), which may be positioned on seal bar 98, e.g., between thesealing elements (when seal bar 98 is configured as a ‘double seal’ baras described above), to transversely sever the web/panels in between thetransverse seals formed by the transverse sealing elements. Suchtransverse severing element may be an electrically-resistive element,which severs web 18/panels 38 a, b by heating to a temperaturesufficient to melt through the web, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,376,219 and 6,003,288, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference thereto.

Alternatively, the severing element on seal bar 98 could be a cuttingblade or the like to effect mechanical severance of the web 18/panels 38a, b. As a further alternative, a single sealing/severing element couldbe employed on seal bar 98, which both seals and severs the web/panels,e.g., as described in the '219 and '288 patents. As described more fullybelow, another alternative is to form transverse lines of weakness,i.e., perforation lines instead of a full-severance cuts, which wouldallow the completed pouches 12′″ to be subsequently separated from theweb/panels individually, in pairs, or in groups, either manually, e.g.,with a device that facilitates manual separation, such as that which isdisclosed in U.S. Publication 2012-0072016, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference thereto, or via an automated‘perf-tearing’ device. As yet a further alternative, a severancemechanism may be provided that may be operated independently of thetransverse sealing mechanism, such that completed pouches 12′″ may beseparated from the web/panels in pairs or in groups of 3 or more, asdisclosed, e.g., in the above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,463.

As noted above, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention, transverse fines of weakness may be formed between one ormore competed, inflated pouches to allow them to be separated at adesired time and in desired groupings, i.e., individually, in pairs orin groups. For example, with reference back to FIGS. 1 and 3, the supply14 of inflatable pouches 16 may include at least one fine of weakness108 between at least one pair of transverse seals 40 a, b. Asillustrated, the lines of weakness 108 are positioned between each pairof transverse seals 40 a, b. This may be accomplished in accordance withthe above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,626, by including aperforation blade 110 in the transverse seal mechanism 44, positionedbetween the transverse seal members 86 a, b, such that a fine ofweakness 108 is formed each time that a pair of transverse seals 40 a, bis formed, and is disposed therebetween as shown. Alternatively, anindependently-controllable and actuatable perforation mechanism could beused, as disclosed in the above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,463, sothat lines of weakness 108 may be placed at any desired location, e.g.,between every other pair of transverse seals 40 a, b, between everythird pair, etc. Another example of an independent perforation mechanismis shown in FIG. 5, wherein rotary perforation mechanism 112 isillustrated. As shown, rotary perforation mechanism 112 is independentof transverse seal mechanism 44, i.e., is both physically andoperationally separate therefrom.

A perforation blade, such as blade 110, could be employed in processes95 and/or 97 (FIGS. 6 and 7), e.g., on seal bar 98 of transverse sealmechanism 44′, and could similarly either be fixed in place to make aline of weakness during every actuation of the seal bar, or could beindependently-controllable and actuatable as per the '463 patent.

If desired, the connected series of inflated pouches 12′ (from system10—FIG. 1) or 12″ (from system 10′—FIG. 5) may be sent to, andaccumulated on, a winding/storage device, such as that which isdescribed in U.S. Publication No. 2012-0273602, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference 3C) thereto. Alternatively,the inflated pouches, including pouches 12′″, may be directedindividually, in pairs, or in groups of three or more to an accumulationbin.

After inflated pouches, e.g., 12′, 12″, or 12′″, have been produced inaccordance with the present invention, the further step of making apackage from one or more of the inflated pouches may be carried out,which will generally comprise at least one of (a) placing an object tobe packaged within one or more of the inflated pouches and/or (b)placing one or more of the inflated pouches over a portion of an objectto be packaged. Examples of the former packaging method are illustratedin FIGS. 8-11 while an example of the latter packaging method isillustrated in FIG. 12.

FIGS. 8-10 show a completed, inflated pouch 12′, as produced byprocess/system 10 (FIG. 1), being used to package an object 114 byplacing the object with the inflated pouch 12′, wherein the pouch is inthe form of an already-inflated inflatable mailer. Thus, as shown inFIG. 8, object 114 to be packaged, e.g., a laptop computer or the like,may be moved in the direction of arrow 116, through the open top 60, andinto the interior 118 of the pouch 12′, to assume the enclosed positionshown in FIG. 9. Extended region 61 may then be folded over the open top60 as shown in FIG. 9, i.e., moved in the direction of arrow 120, toenclose the object 114 within the interior 118 of pouch 12′. Theextended region 61 may then be secured to the ‘front’ panel 38 a, e.g.,via adhesive tape, glue, or the like (not shown), to seal object 114within the pouch 12′. The resultant final package 122 is shown in FIG.10, and is ready for shipment to the intended destination for object114.

Alternative inflated pouch 12″, as made by the system/process 10′illustrated in FIG. 5, is shown in FIGS. 11A-11C. Like inflated pouch12′, inflated pouch 12″ is in the form of an inflated mailer, andsimilarly includes juxtaposed panels 38 a′ and 38 b′ joined atlongitudinal fold 36′, sides formed by transverse seals 40 a, b, an opentop 60′, and an extended section 61′. Thus, an object 114′ to bepackaged may be moved in the direction of arrow 116′, through the opentop 60′, and into the interior 118′ of the pouch 12″. Extended region61′ may then be folded over the open top 60′ as shown by moving it inthe direction of arrow 120′, to thereby enclose the object 114′ withinthe interior 118′ of pouch 12″. The extended region 61′ may then besecured to the ‘front’ panel 38 a′ as shown in FIG. 11C, to seal object114′ within the pouch 12″. The resultant final package 122′ (FIG. 11C)is then ready for shipment to the intended destination for object 114′.

In this embodiment, the inflatable chambers 26′ in pouches 12″ aresubstantially linear, e.g., tube-shaped vs. the chambers 26 in pouches12′, which are non-linear, e.g., connected-bubble-shaped. Further, theseal pattern 24′ in the inflatable web 18″ is configured such that thatthe resultant inflatable pouches 16′ (FIG. 5) are capable of beingfree-standing, once they are inflated and sealed to become inflatedpouches 12″ (FIGS. 11A-11C). This may be accomplished, e.g., as shown,wherein seal pattern 24′ includes land areas 124 a positioned near,e.g., on either side of, longitudinal fold 36′ to produce a relativelyflat bottom 126 on the resultant inflated pouch 12″. As perhaps shownmost clearly in FIG. 11C, the flat bottom 126 allows the inflated pouch12″ to assume a free-standing, upright position.

FIGS. 11A-C show another optional feature of the invention, wherebyinflated pouch 12″ includes an outer surface 128 adapted to receivethereon a label 130. Such outer surface 128 may be an area of sufficientplanarity and/or sufficiently free of surface irregularities, i.e., ofsufficient smoothness, to allow a label 130, e.g., a shipping label, tobe affixed, e.g., adhesively affixed, to such surface 128. Examplesinclude a flat outer panel affixed to one or both inflatable panels 38a, b; an outer bag in which the inflatable pouches 16 or 16′ arecontained; or, as illustrated, a relatively smooth area in panel 38 a′as created by seal pattern 24′, e.g., as defined by a plurality of landareas 124 b, between which the relatively flat outer surface 128 isthereby formed.

FIG. 11B illustrates a further optional feature of the invention,whereby an adhesive strip 132 is included, e.g., on extended region 61′,in order to facilitate securing the extended region 61′ to the frontpanel 38 a′ as shown in FIG. 11C, to thereby complete the package 122′.A removable cover strip 134, e.g., a release liner, may be included overthe adhesive strip 132 to provide protection thereto until it is desiredto adhere the extended region 61′ to panel 38 a′, at which time thecover strip 134 may be removed from the adhesive strip 132 as shown.Folding of the extended region 61′, which will be inflated in manyembodiments, in order to secure it to front panel 38 a′, may befacilitated by including a series of land areas 124 c (FIG. 11B) inpanel 38 b′, e.g., in a linear pattern as shown to define a fold fine,which may be positioned at the line of departure from which extendedregion 61′ begins.

In the foregoing embodiments, the inflated pouches 12′ and 12″ are ofsufficient size that the object to be packaged (114, 114′) may beentirely enclosed within such pouches. In an alternative embodiment, thepouches may be sized such that they fit over only a portion of theobject to be packaged, e.g., an end portion of the object such that thepouch would be in the form of an ‘end-cap.’ In this case, the associatedpackaging method includes placing one or more of the inflated pouchesover a portion of an object to be packaged. This type of packagingarrangement is illustrated in FIG. 12, wherein a pair of pouches 12′have been placed over two ends 136 a, b of an object 138 to be packaged,e.g., a satellite TV receiver, such that the two pouches 12′ arranged inthis manner may be said to form a pair of ‘end-caps.’ The resultantcombination is thus ready for placement in shipping carton 140, whereinthe pouches/end-caps 12′ will provide cushioning protection to theobject 138 inside of the shipping carton 140 during transit.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A supply of inflatable pouches, the supplycomprising: an inflatable web, the web comprising two sheets havinginner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series ofinflatable chambers each having a closed distal end and an open proximalend, the open proximal end providing an inflation port for each of thechambers, the chambers arrayed in a substantially transverse orientationto a longitudinal dimension of the web, wherein: the inflatable webincludes a longitudinal inflation edge and an opposing closedlongitudinal edge, the inflation ports of the chambers are positioned inseries along the inflation edge; and the closed distal ends of thechambers are positioned in series along the closed edge, a longitudinalfold in the web, which extends along the longitudinal dimension thereofsuch that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatablepanels joined together at the longitudinal fold, wherein thelongitudinal fold in the inflatable web is off-center so that theinflation edge is off-set from the closed edge in the supply ofinflatable pouches, and a series of transverse seals that bond thepanels together to form a connected series of inflatable pouches betweenpairs of the transverse seals such that the connected series ofinflatable pouches extends along the longitudinal dimension of the web.2. The supply of claim 1, wherein the inflation edge and the closed edgeextend from the longitudinal fold; the inflation edge extends from thelongitudinal fold by a greater distance than does the closed edge; andthe greater distance corresponds to the off-set between the inflationedge and the closed edge.
 3. The supply of claim 2, wherein the supplyof inflatable pouches is configured to be used in a system that includesa conveyance mechanism for conveying the supply of inflatable pouchesthrough the system, wherein the conveyance mechanism is configured toengage the inflation edge to effect conveyance.
 4. The supply of claim3, wherein the conveyance mechanism is configured to effect theconveyance of the supply of inflatable pouches in a direction that isparallel to the longitudinal dimension of the web.
 5. The supply ofclaim 4, wherein the conveyance mechanism is configured to effect theconveyance in a substantially continuous manner.
 6. The supply of claim5, wherein the system further includes an inflation assembly configuredto introduce gas into the inflatable chambers via the inflation assemblyconfigured to introduce gas into the inflatable chambers via theinflation ports to thereby inflate the juxtaposed inflatable panels ofthe inflatable pouches so as to form inflated pouches, and wherein theinflation assembly is configured to introduce gas into the inflatablechambers substantially continuously and sequentially via the inflationports.
 7. The supply of claim 5, wherein the system further includes asealing mechanism configured to seal the inflation ports to enclose gaswithin the chambers of the inflated pouches, and wherein the sealingmechanism is configured to seal the inflation ports substantiallycontinuously and sequentially.
 8. The supply of claim 2, wherein theinflatable web includes a pair of longitudinal flanges formed by aportion of each of the sheets that extend beyond the inflation ports todefine the inflation edge.
 9. The supply of claim 1, wherein each of theinflatable chambers has a predetermined length; and each of the chambershas at least one change in width over its length.
 10. The supply ofclaim 1, wherein the supply of inflatable pouches further includes atleast one line of weakness between at least one pair of the transverseseals.
 11. The supply of claim 1, wherein the seal pattern in theinflatable web is configured such that the inflatable pouches arecapable of being free-standing when inflated.
 12. The supply of claim 6,wherein the inflated pouches include an outer surface adapted to receivethereon a label.